Ultra reliable. Huge range of options from Sport to environmentally friendly low carbon model. Great value. Good all rounder. Latest sport models offer super performance.
Cornering poor on older models. Faster small cars are available.
The VW polo is a small car manufactured by Volkswagen which is especially popular in Europe. It is most widely seen in hatchback form although there have been other formats including saloon, estate, etc. Since 1975 when a reworked version of the Audi 50 was launched as the Polo there have been four separate Polo series - Mark I to Mark IV. About half a million Mark 1 Polos were sold during its 5 year lifespan with more than nine million Polos across all models subsequently sold. Each generation was revamped mid way through its production era. The Polo has always been an ultra reliable, practical fun car but the latest models are typical of todays competitive market in terms of the quality and value for money they offer. The Mark IVF Polo is a particularly ineresting development. Designed by Walter de'Silva and launched in 2005 the updated range is available in 6 different trim levels, from basic E to the high performance GTI. A 1.8 gt hot hatch will do 0-62mph in 8.2secs and a max speed of 134mph. Handling is superb and the subtle curvaceous shape is a treat too, in line with the entire new range which has been expertly created by VW.
There is also a new diesel-powered Volkswagen Polo Bluemotion which is set to be exempt from road tax in the UK, owing to its low carbon emissions. For the first time in almost 100 years British drivers have the prospect of not paying road tax. VWs diesel-powered mini car launched late summer 2007 emits just 99 grams per kilometre of CO2, making it the most environmentally-friendly car available at its time of release by quite a way and making it eligible for the tax-exempt Band A road tax category. A 1.4-litre three-cylinder turbo diesel engine with intercooler, the ability to recirculate gas and a diesel particulate filter ensures it cuts down emissions drastically. The Bluemotion offers a five-speed gearbox and swish design and can achieve 74.3 miles per gallon.
The latest Polos come in a range of formats: E, ES, Sport, Gti and Dune. Latest significant updates are the 1.8-litre turbo charged GTI, the most powerful Polo ever based on the Golf GTI. It comes with 16ins sport alloys and polished twin exhausts. The new Polo Dune is also a welcome and innovative design, combining the 4x4 SUV style with a supermini size. The new Polos unlike their predecessors also offer good safety features including four airbags, rear head restraints, door side impact protection, ABS, are standard on all models. Heres a sample of performance specification for each type:
Engine cubic capacity -1400
Combined Fuel - 42.8mpg - 6.6l/100km
Max Speed - 106mph - 170km/h
0-62mph - 13.5secs
Insurance group 5
Engine cubic capacity - 1900
Combined Fuel- 62.8mpg - 4.5l/100km
Max Speed - 117mph - 188km/h
0-62mph - 10.7secs
Insurance group - 6
Engine cubic capacity - 1400
Combined Fuel - 62.8mpg - 4.5l/100km
Max Speed - 99 mph - 160km/h
0-62mph - 15.9secs
Insurance group - 5
Engine cubic capacity - 1800
Combined Fuel - 36.2mpg - 7.8l/100km
Max Speed - 134mph - 216km/h
0-62mph - 8.2secs
Insurance group - 13
Engine cubic capacity - 1198
Combined Fuel - 48.7mpg - 5.8l/100km
Max Spee - 104mph - 112km/h
0-62mph - 14.5secs
Insurance group n/a
Black door mirrors with integrated indicators
Body-coloured bumpers with black bumper strips
Door handles, black
Full size wheel trims
Galvanised body
Halogen clear headlights, range adjustable
Lockable fuel filler flap
Side bump strips, black
Tinted glass
- 5J x 14 steel wheels with 165/70 R14 tyres
ABS (Anti-lock Braking System) with HBA (Hydraulic Brake Assist)
Door side impact protection
Drivers and front passengers airbags
Front head restraints, height-adjustable
Front seat side impact airbags (not E 1.2 litre 55 PS)
Height-adjustable front three-point seat belts with tensioners
High level 3rd brake light
Isofix preparation (for 2 rear child seats)
Rear head restraints x 3
Rear three-point seat belts x 3
Reflectors in front doors
Rigid safety cell with front and rear crumple zones
Blue instrument lighting
Central locking
Cup holder, front
Drivers and front passengers sun visors with vanity mirrors
Dust and pollen filter
Electronic engine immobiliser
Front comfort seats
Front door side pockets
Front wash/wipe with 4 speeds and interval delay
Full size steel spare wheel
Glovebox
Heated rear window
Heating and ventilation with 4 speed fan and air recirculation
Height and reach adjustable steering wheel
Interior lighting with delay
Load lip protective shield
Luggage compartment load lashing points x 4
Luggage cover, removable
Non-smoking pack
Power-assisted steering, speed-sensitive
Radio/MP3 compatible CD player with RDS, 4 front speakers and roof aerial
Rear wash/wipe with interval delay
Rev counter
Storage tray on dashboard
Three-spoke steering wheel
Warning lights on buzzer
12V socket with cover
Alloy wheels, four 6J x 14 Portland with 185/60 R14 tyres
and anti-theft wheel bolts
Body-coloured bumper strips, side bump strips
and door handles
Body-coloured door mirrors with integrated indicators
Drivers and front passengers seat height adjustment
Drivers and front passengers under seat drawer
(5 door only)
Easy entry sliding seats (for access to rear seats, 3 door)
Illuminated vanity mirrors
Luggage compartment light
Radio/MP3 compatible CD player with RDS, 8 speakers and roof aerial
Reading lights, independent front and rear (rear on 5 door only)
(SE only)
Remote central locking and alarm with 2 folding keys
Split folding rear seat with centre armrest (SE only)
Two-tone horn
12V socket in luggage compartment (SE only)
Exterior
Alloy wheels, four 6J x 14 Misano with 185/60 R14 tyres and anti-theft wheel bolts
Upholstery Maxima cloth
Alloy wheels, four 6J x 15 Charade with
195/55 R15 tyres and anti-theft wheel bolts
Chrome trimmed radiator grille (Sport only)
Chrome-plated instrument surrounds
Chrome-plated internal door handles and handbrake knob
Leather trimmed three-spoke steering wheel, gear knob
and handbrake grip
Upholstery Limit cloth
Alloy wheels, four 71⁄2J x 17 BBS with 215/40 R17 tyres
and anti-theft wheel bolts
Body-coloured bumper strips, side bump strips
and door handles
Dune styling pack unique front and rear bumpers,
with side and wheel arch protection
Roof rails, silver-coloured
Silver-coloured door mirrors with integrated indicators
Air conditioning, Climatic semi-automatic control
Drivers seat height adjustment
Drivers under seat drawer
Electric windows, front and rear
Electrically heated and adjustable door mirrors
Front fog lights
Front seat back storage pockets
Front sports seats
Illuminated vanity mirrors
Luggage compartment light
Multifunction computer
Radio/MP3 compatible CD player with RDS, 8 speakers
and roof aerial
Raised suspension, by approximately 20 mm
Reading lights, front x 2
Remote central locking and alarm with 2 folding keys
Two-tone horn
Tyre repair kit
Aluminium-look pedals clutch, brake and accelerator
Chrome-plated instrument surrounds
Chrome-plated internal door handles and handbrake knob
Leather gear knob and handbrake grip with colour
co-ordinated stitching
Leather trimmed four-spoke steering wheel with colour
co-ordinated stitching and aluminium insert
Upholstery Space cloth
Alloy wheels low weight, four 5J x 14 Jerez with 165/70 R14
tyres and anti-theft wheel bolts
BlueMotion styling pack unique front and rear bumpers
Body-coloured bumper strips, side bump strips
and door handles
Silver-coloured door mirrors with integrated indicators
Electrically heated and adjustable door mirrors
Electric windows, front and rear (rear 5 door only)
Multifunction computer
Alloy wheels, four 61⁄2J x 16 Monza I with 205/45 R16 tyres and anti-theft wheel bolts
GTI styling pack uniquely shaped front and rear bumpers
with honeycomb front air intake
Roof spoiler, rear
Twin exhaust tailpipes
Aluminium-look pedals clutch, brake and accelerator
Leather trimmed three-spoke steering wheel with aluminium insert
Upholstery Interlagos cloth
Carpet mats, front and rear
Drivers and front passengers under seat drawer
Electric windows, rear (5 door only)
Reading lights, front x 2
Tyre repair kit
Disc brakes, front and rear (front ventilated), with red calipers
ESP (Electronic Stabilisation Programme) includes
EDL (Electronic Differential Lock) and ASR (Traction Control)
Flat tyre indicator
Air conditioning, Climatic semi-automatic control
Automatic coming home lighting function
Illuminated vanity mirrors
Leather trimmed three-spoke steering wheel, gear knob
and handbrake grip
Rain sensor and automatic dimming interior rear-view mirror
Reading lights, front x 2
Remote central locking and alarm with 2 folding keys
